Politics, War, People, Poverty, Human Rights, Pollution

Saudi Arabia, a major supporter of opposition forces in Syria, has increased crackdown on its own dissenters, with 30,000 activists reportedly in jail. In an exclusive interview to RT a Saudi prince defector explained what the monarchy fears most.

“Saudi Arabia has stepped up arrests and trials of peaceful dissidents, and responded with force to demonstrations by citizens,” Human Rights Watch begins the country’s profile on its website.

Political parties are banned in Saudi Arabia and human rights groups willing to function legally have to go no further than investigating things like corruption or inadequate services. Campaigning for political freedoms is outlawed.

One of such groups, which failed to get its license from the government, the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), was cited by AFP as saying the kingdom was holding around 30,000 political prisoners.

Saudi Prince Khaled Bin Farhan Al-Saud, who spoke to RT from Dusseldorf, Germany, confirmed reports of increased prosecution of anti-government activists and said that it’s exactly what forced him to defect from his family. He accused the monarchy of corruption and silencing all voices of dissent and explained how the Saudi mechanism for suppression functioned.

“There is no independent judiciary, as both police and the prosecutor’s office are accountable to the Interior Ministry. This ministry’s officials investigate ‘crimes’ (they call them crimes), related to freedom of speech. So they fabricate evidence, don’t allow people to have attorneys”, the prince told RT Arabic. “Even if a court rules to release such a ‘criminal’, the Ministry of Interior keeps him in prison, even though there is a court order to release him. There have even been killings! Killings! And as for the external opposition, Saudi intelligence forces find these people abroad! There is no safety inside or outside the country.”

The strong wave of oppression is in response to the anti-government forces having grown ever more active. A new opposition group called Saudi Million and claiming independence from any political party was founded in late July. The Saudi youths which mostly constitute the movement say they demand the release of political prisoners and vow to hold regular demonstrations, announcing their dates and locations via Facebook and electronic newspapers.

Human rights violations are driving people on to the streets despite the fear of arrest, according to activist Hala Al-Dosari, who spoke to RT from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“We have issues related to political and civil rights, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. These are the main issues that cause a lot of people to be at risk for just voicing out their opinions or trying to form associations, demonstrate or protest, which is banned by the government.”

The loudest voice of the Saudi opposition at the moment is a person called ‘Saudi Assange’. His Twitter name is @Mujtahidd, he keeps his identity and whereabouts secret and is prolific in online criticism of the ruling family, which has gained him over a million followers.

“The regime can destroy your credibility easily and deter people from dealing with you if your identity is public,” Mujtahid wrote to RT’s Lindsay France in an email.

Prince Khalid Bin Farhan Al-Saud announced his defection from the Saudi Arabian royal family on July 27.

“They don’t think about anything but their personal benefits and do not care for the country’s and people’s interests, or even national security,” his statement reads as cited by the website of Tehran-based Al Alam International News Channel.

The prince criticized the royal family for silencing all voices calling for reforms and said he learned of the common Saudis’ sufferings having gone through “horrible personal experience,” without specifying exactly what it was.

The Twitter activist’s anonymity is understandable. The most recent example of what can happen to activists is the case of Raif Badawi, the founder of the Free Saudi Liberals website, who was found guilty of insulting Islam through his online forum and sentenced the activist to 600 lashes and seven years in prison.

In June, seven people were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for ‘inciting protests’ via Facebook. The indicted denied charges and said they were tortured into confession.

“The government is obviously scared of the Arab revolutions. And they’ve responded as they usually do: by resorting to oppression, violence, arbitrary law, and arrest,” Prince Khaled says, adding that so far the tougher the measures the government took to suppress the dissent, the louder that dissent’s voice was.

“The opposition used to demand wider people’s representation in governing bodies, more rights and freedoms. But the authorities reacted with violence and persecution, instead of a dialogue. So the opposition raised the bar. It demanded constitutional monarchy, similar to what they have in the UK, for example. And the Saudi regime responded with more violence. So now the bar is even higher. Now the opposition wants this regime gone.”

There was a time, at the beginning of the Arab Spring movement in the region in 2011, when the government tried to appease opposition activists by a $60 billion handout program by King Abdullah, according to Pepe Escobar, a correspondent for the Asia Times. He calls that move an attempt to “bribe” the population. However there was also a stick with this carrot.

“The stick is against the Shiite minority – roughly 10 percent of Saudi Arabia – who live in the Eastern province where most of the oil is, by the way. They don’t want to bring down the House of Saud essentially. They want more participation, judiciary not answering to religious powers and basically more democratic freedoms. This is not going to happen in Saudi Arabia. Period. Nor in the other Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] petro-monarchies”.

Escobar points out the hypocrisy of the Saudi Arabian rulers, who feel free to advise other regional powers on how to move towards democracy, despite their poor human rights record.

“They say to the Americans that they are intervening in Syria for a more democratic post-Assad Syria and inside Saudi Arabia it’s the Sunni-Shiite divide. They go against 10 percent of their own population.”

‘Buying favors from West’

Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on opposition has been strongly condemned by human rights organizations, but not by Western governments, which usually claim sensitivity to such issues.

“The White House certainly does maintain a long-standing alliance with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, cemented by common political, economic and military interests in the Middle East,” said Prince Khaled.

Germany came under fierce criticism last week over its arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, which have almost tripled in just two years, from 570 million euro in 2011 to almost one-and-a-half billion in 2012.

And Angela Merkel’s government has approved weapons exports of more than 800 million euro in the first half of this year – suggesting the level will continue to grow.

“With arms they [Gulf States] are also buying favors from the West. They are insuring the maintenance of their legitimacy on spending massive amounts of money that are pouring into Western economies,” Dr. Ahmed Badawi, co-executive director of Transform, which studies conflicts and political developments, told RT.

In 2012, Amnesty International claimed that German-made small firearms, ammunition and military vehicles were commonly used by Middle Eastern and North African regimes to suppress peaceful demonstrations.

“Small arms are becoming real weapons of mass destruction in the world now. There is absolutely no way to guarantee that the weapons that are being sold legally to countries like Saudi Arabia, even Egypt, do not fall into the hands of terrorists. The two important examples are German assault rifles found in the regions in Mexico and also in Libya. And there’s absolutely no way of knowing how these weapons ended up there,” Badawi said. Source Videos at source.

Jeff Olson, the 40-year-old man who is being prosecuted for scrawling anti-megabank messages on sidewalks in water-soluble chalk last year now faces a 13-year jail sentence. A judge has barred his attorney from mentioning freedom of speech during trial.

According to the San Diego Reader, which reported on Tuesday that a judge had opted to prevent Olson’s attorney from “mentioning the First Amendment, free speech, free expression, public forum, expressive conduct, or political speech during the trial,” Olson must now stand trial for on 13 counts of vandalism.

In addition to possibly spending years in jail, Olson will also be held liable for fines of up to $13,000 over the anti-big-bank slogans that were left using washable children’s chalk on a sidewalk outside of three San Diego, California branches of Bank of America, the massive conglomerate that received $45 billion in interest-free loans from the US government in 2008-2009 in a bid to keep it solvent after bad bets went south.

The Reader reports that Olson’s hearing had gone as poorly as his attorney might have expected, with Judge Howard Shore, who is presiding over the case, granting Deputy City Attorney Paige Hazard’s motion to prohibit attorney Tom Tosdal from mentioning the United States’ fundamental First Amendment rights.

Tosdal, who exited the courtroom shortly after his client, seemed equally bewildered.

“I’ve never heard that before, that a court can prohibit an argument of First Amendment rights,” said Tosdal.

Olson, who worked as a former staffer for a US Senator from Washington state, was said to involve himself in political activism in tandem with the growth of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

On October 3, 2011, Olson first appeared outside of a Bank of America branch in San Diego, along with a homemade sign. Eight days later Olson and his partner, Stephen Daniels, during preparations for National Bank Transfer Day, the two were confronted by Darell Freeman, the Vice President of Bank of America’s Global Corporate Security.

A former police officer, Freeman accused Olson and Daniels of “running a business outside of the bank,” evidently in reference to the National Bank Transfer Day activities, which was a consumer activism initiative that sought to promote Americans to switch from commercial banks, like Bank of America, to not-for-profit credit unions.

At the time, Bank of America’s debit card fees were among one of the triggers that led Occupy Wall Street members to promote the transfer day.

“It was just an empty threat,” says Olson of Freeman’s accusations. “He was trying to scare me away. To be honest, it did at first. I even called my bank and they said he couldn’t do anything like that.”

Olson continued to protest outside of Bank of America. In February 2012, he came across a box of chalk at a local pharmacy and decided to begin leaving his mark with written statements.

“I thought it was a perfect way to get my message out there. Much better than handing out leaflets or holding a sign,” says Olson.

Over the course of the next six months Olson visited the Bank of America branch a few days per week, leaving behind scribbled slogans such as “Stop big banks” and “Stop Bank Blight.com.”

According to Olson, who spoke with local broadcaster KGTV, one Bank of America branch claimed it had cost $6,000 to clean up the chalk writing.

Public records obtained by the Reader show that Freeman continued to pressure members of San Diego’s Gang Unit on behalf of Bank of America until the matter was forwarded to the City Attorney’s office.

On April 15, Deputy City Attorney Paige Hazard contacted Freeman with a response on his persistent queries.

“I wanted to let you know that we will be filing 13 counts of vandalism as a result of the incidents you reported,” said Hazard.

Arguments for Olson’s case are set to be heard Wednesday morning, following jury selection. Source

Just when you think, the US cannot get any more ridiculous, then it already is, something like this comes along. The chalk washes off with water. Think about it.

It is the same chalk millions of children use. So are Judges going to imprison little children for their chalk drawings as well?

A girl aged ten was told by police that she could be arrested for causing criminal damage – over a game of hopscotch.

Lilly-May Allen was playing with a friend on a grid she had chalked on the pavement in front of her home when a marked police van pulled up.

An officer warned the girls that using chalk on the pavement was criminal damage and they could be arrested for it, before driving off.

But the girls did not understand what they had done wrong and Lilly-May is now reluctant to play outside, according to her father. For the rest go HERE Got to love some of the comments at the bottom however.

Bank of America protester acquitted of vandalism

July 1 2013

A San Diego, California man has been acquitted of vandalism charges after being threatened with 13 years in prison for scrawling anti-bank slogans on a sidewalk with chalk.

A jury deliberated for less than five hours on Monday before deciding to acquit 40-year-old Jeff Olson on the 13 counts of vandalism he was charged with after protesting Bank of America using children’s chalk, Reuters reported.

Under California guidelines, Olson could have been sentenced to 13 years in prison and asked to pay $13,000 in fines if convicted. When he spoke out against the absurdity of the possibility last week, Judge Howard Shore issued a gag-order to ensure Olson and others wouldn’t discuss their case further.

“Judge Shore has issued a gag order prohibiting all counsel and parties from commenting or expressing opinions on the case upon penalty of criminal contempt. All I am permitted to say is that I disagree,” Olson said over the weekend in an email to RT.

Olson previously told reporters, “My chalk drawings are clearly free speech and protected by the First Amendment,” and said after his victory on Monday that the dozen jurors apparently agreed.

“The jury sent a strong message that freedom of speech is alive in San Diego,” he told reporters outside of the courthouse.

“I’m really relieved,” Olson added to U-T San Diego. “It’s been an incredibly stressful situation. It feels really good to know that the people of San Diego as represented by the jury are on my side.”

Olson’s supposed crimes consisted of using washable chalk to write messages such as “No Thanks, Big Banks” and “Shame on Bank of America” on the sidewalks outside of branches in the San Diego area throughout 2012 after the Occupy Wall Street movement first began gaining momentum. He told San Diego 6 News last week that he was being prosecuted in part because City Attorney Jan Goldsmith has received campaign contributions from at least two big name financial institutions and, “If I had drawn a little girl’s hopscotch squares on the street, we wouldn’t be here today.”

“His purpose was not malicious. His purpose was to inform,” defense attorney Tom Tosdal told CNS News of Olson.

This is a very long story. It is turning into a book and seems maybe even a set of Encyclopedia’s.

To my Readers, Canada is headed down the same path as the US, UK etc They are being stripped of their, rights and freedoms. Canada is quickly being turned into a police state. So if you have friends who are Canadian please forward this information to them. The working class have little time to watch the news or get all the details. As is it seems the Government has strives to hoodwink them, full well knowing few may have noticed. Help keep them informed.

Many Canadians cannot afford to be on-line many can’t even afford Cable or satellite, they to need to be informed. To all Canadians let those people know, their rights are being removed and their is a problem with their new Government.

The beacon of light Canada once was, is slowly falling into a dark place.

March 7 2012

The Coservatives Asked Elections Canada for the list of Voters.

This has never been done before. So why would they do that?

What did they do with the list?

I also have to say I am impressed with the Canadian Press.

It is a rare thing for the Press in the US to do anything of this magnitude. They just go after the guy the Rich corporations or Lobby’s, want to have discredited. One can on fantasize, of having press like this in the US.

Mr. Vellacott, however, said the Conservative Party, with its massive computer data banks in Ottawa, centrally creates election-period voter lists for every election, including telephone numbers, for each of the individual candidate campaigns

The party lists, also used for the election last year, are based on updated Elections Canada voter lists that are released to all candidates and registered political parties after the election campaign period begins. The final revised list is sent out three days before an election.

The list Elections Canada distributes to parties and candidates on computer discs contain only names and addresses of voters, not phone numbers.

Elections Canada confirmed to The Hill Times on Tuesday that for the first time in a federal election a representative of one of the recognized parties, the Conservative Party, had before the election requested that the initial voter list given to the parties at the beginning of the campaign include the location of polling sites. In response, Elections Canada provided the information to the Conservative Party and the other recognized parties. Source

Note:

The Conservatives last week denied a request by Elections Canada for the power to demand receipts for political parties’ election spending, raising questions about why?

March 7 2012

A couple of Quotes from the story.

An NDP motion that calls on the government to make campaign call centres register with Elections Canada is expected to pass, with the Conservatives planning to vote in favour.

The motion is non-binding but gives opposition MPs the chance to speak at length about the need for such legislation, dredge up the so-called in-and-out scandal and tie it to the current controversy over fraudulent and harassing phone calls during the last federal election.

The NDP motion, to be debated Thursday, calls for the government to make three changes to the Elections Canada Act in the next six months:

Give Elections Canada stronger investigative powers, including the ability to force political parties to provide supporting documents for their expenses.

Require all telecommunication companies that provide voter contact services during a general election to register with Elections Canada.

Make telecommunication companies identify and verify the identity of election clients.

MP Dean Del Mastro Said the conservative made about 6 million calls. Now that Costs a fortune. Now MP Dean Del Mastro has a hard time telling the truth, He hasn’t really told the truth, as of yet. I have watched many Videos and he just keeps fouling up,.That is being kind on my part. So his word means very little.

The Conservatives may have made more calls then the 6 million as MP Dean Del Mastro claims Time will tell.

As the reporter said even at $1 a call, that is a lot of money. Well lets hope their receipts reluctant that number. $6 million just on phone calls.

The Liberals and NDP both will turn over all records, but the Conservatives have not committed to doing so.

Harper could have given more power already. So this is a rather pathetic move on his part. Non Binding is even more useless.

So would Revenue Canada let the rest of it’s citizens hire a private Auditor to Audit their own Income taxes. I don’t think so. That is just a really foolish statement. Why then should Elections Canada Allow something like that.

Voting irregularities marred Toronto-area vote: CBC

A couple of Quotes from the story.

CBC says there was a late influx of unregistered voters, who got to vote without providing an address in the riding as required by Elections Canada rules. CBC says it discovered at least 2,700 applications for late registration to vote that failed to provide addresses, or gave false or non-residential addresses.

Volpe’s lawyer Tony Pascale told CBC he wants Elections Canada to revisit the riding. “There were an inordinately high number of voters registering who were not on the voters list in order to cast ballots,” he said.

Meanwhile, another former Liberal MP is mulling a legal challenge of the results of one of the closest races of the 2011 election, the Globe and Mail is reporting.

Incumbent Liberal MP Anthony Rota lost in the northern Ontario riding of Nipissing-Timiskaming by 18 votes to Conservative Jay Aspin.

The newspaper reports that Elections Canada is interviewing people who say they received automated phone calls directing them to the wrong polling station, as well as live phone calls from persons purporting to be from the Liberal party, but apparently trying to alienate voters. Source

Opposition delays passage of controversial crime bill

Bill C-10, the Safe Streets and Communities Act

The NDP employed procedural delays following question period that left no more time for further debate and the final vote.

But before moving on to a series of votes on private members bills, the Conservatives did manage to pass a time allocation motion to limit debate on the bill to one more day. Source

Canadians do not want this bill however.

Critics argue the cost of Bill C-10 will be enormous, that it favours incarceration over rehabilitation and reintegration and that it will lead to prison overcrowding.

Video: Student protests turn ugly in Montreal

Mar. 07, 2012
Riot police clashed with students protesting planned tuition-fee hikes Wednesday. University student Frank Levesque-Nicole says he was roughed up by police. Looks very much like the kids were not being violent. Canada and the US are backwards. Many Countries across the ocean, have free Education in College and University for their children. Those countries are quite prosperous.

Such a shame to see Canada and the US lagging behind. They always have enough money for war however.

The student group CLASSE says Francis Grenier, a student at CEGEP St. Jerome was hit in the face with a stun grenade and may lose vision in his right eye. March 7, 2012

Harper’s Libya victory ceremony cost soared to over $800,000

The price tag for a ceremony on Parliament Hill to celebrate Canada’s military mission in Libya was more than double the original agreed cost, prompting questions among some in uniform about whether approval was obtained for the increased spending, according to Defence Department documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen. Source

Thailand’s military sticks knife in as election commission rules against Abhisit

April 12, 2010 — Thailand’s Election Commission has recommended the embattled ruling party of Abhisit Vejjajiva be dissolved, potentially handing victory to anti-government protesters who have demanded the prime minister step down.

The ruling comes the same day that Thailand’s influential army chief appeared to back a key demand of the protesters, saying Parliament might need to be dissolved to resolve the country’s violent political standoff.

Anupong Paochinda, Chief of Army:

“If the issue can’t be resolved through political means, I understand that the parliament dissolution has to come, now it seems like I’m involved in politics, I think it would end in dissolution. When to dissolve is for them to discuss, as well as the time frame and constitution amendment. Now I’m too involved. I understand that it will end with parliament dissolution. Some people have suggested a government of national unity, I don’t know. I’ll leave the matter to them. I only want peace, that’s all I’m asking.”

Together, these comments and the election body’s decision could spell the end of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s rule. The commission found the Democrat Party guilty of misusing campaign donations.

Abhisit was seen as having the backing of the military, which has traditionally played an important role in the country’s politics. But his control of security forces has increasingly been called into question as protesters repeatedly marched through the capital.

In the recent clashes 21 people were killed. It was the worst political violence Thailand has seen in two decades.

Red-shirted protesters paraded coffins through Thailand’s capital in a renewed show of contempt for the government.

Prime Minister Abhisit blamed the bloodshed on a small group of troublemakers, whom he called “terrorists”, and continued to refuse to dissolve his government:

Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thai Prime Minister:

“Looking at the overview of what’s happening currently, we are able to see clearly that a group of people, whom we can consider as terrorists, had taken advantage of the gathering of innocent people who rallied for democracy and against injustice, and used it as a tool of create unrest in the country, hoping for a major change.”

Post-mortem examinations appeared to contradict the Government’s claim that they were not killed by soldiers.

Autopsies carried out at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok showed that nine of those examined were shot by high velocity weapons in the head, chest or stomach – confirming the impression given by video footage, which shows one unarmed protester dropping to the ground after being struck by a bullet which removed the top of his head.

A Japanese cameraman, Hiro Muramoto of Reuters, also died after being shot in the chest. Source

The Australian government recently received former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and current Israeli Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom as part of the Australia Israel Leadership Forum. The forum was to strengthen the already close relationship between the two states. Shalom and Olmert were welcomed with a gala dinner in Melbourne’s ritzy Park Hyatt Hotel on 6 December 2009, attended by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Given Olmert’s role as Prime Minister during the attacks on Gaza, he is seen by many as guilty of war crimes; it is perhaps no surprise that the Australian media seemed keen to bury the fact that Olmert was in the country and being welcomed by our government. Pro-Palestinian activists on the other hand were intent on holding him to account and letting him know he is not welcome here in our town.

Several groups, including Students for Palestine, Australians for Palestine, the Federation of Australian Muslim Students and Youth, and the Palestine Community Association, came together to organize against these war criminals. Around 200 persons attended a lively, loud and angry demonstration outside the Park Hyatt. We displayed a sample of items banned from entering Gaza due to the siege, to highlight the basic necessities that people in Gaza are denied. Speeches spoke of the apartheid nature of Israel and the reality of living under occupation. Melbourne-based pro-Palestinian hip hop group The Brothahood performed songs about life under occupation, and racism in Australia. We carried placards reading: “Silvan Shalom: Minister for Land Theft,” “Ehud Olmert: War Criminal,” and “Gillard Why do you support genocide?” We also took inspiration from the Iraqi shoe thrower Muntazer al-Zaidi and hurled shoes over the police line.

We publicly announced we were moving to a side entrance, which we found open and under-policed. Several of us then decided to enter the hotel. Police rushed in to break up the demonstration with pepper spray, something that has not happened at a demonstration in Australia for nearly a decade. At least three persons were taken to hospital for treatment. This unprecedented police response highlights the lengths the Australian state will go to defend their support for Israel.

As reported in The Jerusalem Post, at the dinner Gillard, supposedly of the left of the Australian Labor Party, ignored the protests and reaffirmed her support for Israel. “As I said during [the invasion of Gaza last winter], and I say again tonight, Australia supports Israel’s right to self-defense and its right to self-determination … Australia’s government was a champion for the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Our commitment to Israel’s security has not wavered since that time. It’s why we opposed the referral of the Goldstone report to the UN General Assembly.”

Australia’s support for war crimes, something the UN-sponsored and -endorsed Goldstone report found Israel committed, is what the protest was opposing. The protest was to show the world that there are people in Australia who oppose Israel’s attacks on Gaza, the increasing of illegal settlements and the construction of the apartheid wall; that there are people who want to see the right of self-determination for the Palestinians. We oppose our government’s continuing support of Israel in the face of these atrocities. A bit of pepper spray will not deter us — it is nothing in comparison to the horrors Palestinians face every day.

The Gaza Freedom March that will take place in Gaza on 31 December is an historic initiative to break the siege that has imprisoned the 1.5 million people who live there. Conceived in the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and nonviolent resistance to injustice worldwide, the march will gather people from all over the world to march — hand in hand — with the people of Gaza to demand that the Israelis open the borders.[MORE] Find a March near you.

Colonel Efraim (Fein) Eitam was only following orders when he told his troops to beat Ayyad Aqel in 1988. They beat him to death.

Eitam, who since then has held several senior posts in the Israeli government, has recently toured the US as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “Special Emissary” to the “Caravan for Democracy” program of the Jewish National Fund (JNF). This is a marriage made in heaven. Since Israel was founded, the JNF has organized the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the settlement of Jews on their expropriated land; Eitam sees himself as the messianic soldier-prophet directing future expulsions of Palestinians from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Hillel of Buffalo, New York, invited Eitam to speak at our campus, the University at Buffalo (UB), on the recommendation of UB Professor Ernest Sternberg, a board member of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East and a founder of its local campus chapter.

In February 1988, Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin discreetly told the Israeli army to break the bones of Palestinians rising up during the first Palestinian intifada. According to the testimony of Israeli soldiers, Colonel Eitam relayed the message to his Givati Brigade, then occupying Gaza. On 7 February, he ordered four of them to break the bones of two brothers from al-Bureij refugee camp. They cuffed and blindfolded them, beat them for a while in their own home, then took them to a secluded olive grove, where they kicked and beat them for 20 minutes. Khalid Aqel survived; his 21-year-old brother Ayyad died. In 1990, an Israeli court martial convicted these soldiers of assault, reduced their ranks, gave suspended sentences to three, and sentenced the fourth to two months (“Soldier jailed for intifada killing will sue Rabin,” Guardian, 2 November 1990).

Eitam’s soldiers testified he had ordered and participated in the Givati beatings. He admitted driving around Gaza with four batons in his jeep, including a shatter-proof, non-regulation knout made of thick rope. The army judges found that Eitam’s “violent behavior became the norm, and was taken as an example by those under his command” (“Soldier Sentenced for Palestinian Beatings,” Associated Press, 31 October 1990; “Givati Commander Denies Telling Men to ‘Break Bones'”, The Jerusalem Post, 23 February 1990; “Givati 4 Are Convicted”, The Jerusalem Post, 2 October 1990). Still, he received no judgment for almost two years. Then, on 13 July 1992, Rabin became prime minister, and three days later, Eitam got off with a reprimand and a recommendation against promotion. The Jerusalem Post quotes sources suggesting that his likely appeal to Israel’s high court of any conviction might have implicated his higher-ups, including Rabin, in the beatings and murders (“Effi Fein Reprimanded to Prevent Him Appealing to Supreme Court”, 19 July 1992).

Nevertheless, when Ehud Barak became Rabin’s general staff chief, he promoted Eitam to brigadier general. In December 2000, after Rabin’s death, Barak’s successor Shaul Mofaz refused to promote Eitam to the general staff. Chafing at the slight, Eitam gave an incendiary anti-Oslo lecture at Bar-Ilan University. He called Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat “a miserable murderer,” attacked the government for sharing control of Jerusalem, and proposed a new Nakba, or dispossession: the Israeli army “can tomorrow … conquer Judea, Samaria [the West Bank], and the Gaza Strip and expel the population there overnight. It’s not a problem to do this. We have a problem of having the will to do this. As a nation we are inhibited” (“Eitam quits IDF”, The Jerusalem Post, 27 December 2000).

Shortly thereafter, Eitam resigned from the army, but his career flourished. Elected to the Knesset in February 2003, he helped form the National Religious Party and the Renewed Religious National Zionist Party. In 2002-04 he held several cabinet-level portfolios in the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, including minister of housing and construction, a post he used to accelerate settlement in the Golan Heights, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

In a long interview with the Israeli daily Haaretz, Eitam called Palestinian citizens of Israel a “ticking bomb” and a “cancer” (“Dear God, this is Effi”, 20 March 2002). Nations other than Israel are a “world of robots without souls.” In classic fascist fashion, he stated that in war the most “sublime things in man appear.” He seems to believe that he is the Messiah, saying his mission is “to save the people of Israel and the State of Israel.” Such a leader, Eitam said, “also leads the Jewish people. He stands in the place where not only Ben-Gurion stood, but where Moses, too, stood. Where King David stood. So how does one do that, yet remain modest? How does one not get lost between coalition agreements and political intrigues, and a process that involves the very order of nature and the order of the heavens and the earth?” (“Continuation of Dear God, this is Effi”, Haaretz, 20 March 2002).

But this modest Messiah isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Unchastened by the killing of Aqel, Eitam has continued his racist and violent incitement. At a 2002 address in a Tel Aviv synagogue, Eitam called for the murder of then Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat, along with the rest of his colleagues: “If I [could] give the order now, he would be dead in 15 minutes, together with his whole gang.” Of former Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade leader Marwan Barghouti, then being investigated by Israel in preparation for trial, Eitam suggested Israel should just “Take him out to an orchard and shoot him in the head” (“NRP leader Eitam: Arafat, Barghouti should be killed”, The Jerusalem Post, 5 July 2002).

In typical colonial fashion he has called Palestinians “creatures who came out of the depths of darkness” who were “collectively guilty” and who could be indiscriminately killed not only if they had “blood on their hands” but because of “the evil in their heads.” “We will have to kill them all,” he said (“A Reporter at Large: Among the Settlers”, The New Yorker, 31 May 2004).

Eitam has repeatedly called for the wholesale expulsion of Palestinians, seeing a 2002 Israeli assault on the West Bank as an opportunity to force them into Jordan, leaving “our Jewish conscience … clean” (“Israeli nationalist hopes to persuade the country to expel Palestinians, Associated Press, 7 April 2002). In 2006, he stated: “We will have to expel the great majority of the Arabs of Judea and Samaria [the West Bank]” (“Leftist MKs blast Eitam’s statements on Arabs”, Haaretz, 11 September 2006).

The Israeli press has documented other staggering statements by Eitam: on the Israeli army’s “very moral” but also fatal use of Jenin teenager Nidal Abu Muhsein as a human shield; his demand that Israel “declare war” on Palestinian citizens of Israel living in the Negev; and his calls for outlawing commemoration of the Nakba; executing Israeli politicians who favor returning occupied territories to Palestinians; and “decapitating” Hamas leaders.

Eitam’s visit protested

When University at Buffalo community members asked Hillel to cancel Eitam’s meeting because of his previous violence and hate speech and the damage his visit would do to local interfaith efforts, it refused. Hillel and other Eitam supporters responded that the scrupulously-documented charges made against him were a “medieval blood libel”; that Eitam never said or did these things; that he was misquoted (he seems to be misquoted a lot) or quoted out of context; that the leading Israeli newspapers reporting his words and deeds were part of a vast left-wing conspiracy; and that even if Eitam did say and do these things, he represents an important sector of Israeli opinion that should be heard.

On 2 November, Hillel held a noon meeting with Eitam for University at Buffalo students. Before the talk, one Eitam supporter talked with another about killing a protestor, while third called out to a student wearing a headscarf, “Why don’t you go blow yourself up?” Eitam’s speech consisted of a tirade about Iran, Hamas and Hizballah, and how efforts to make peace with them all failed, and “withdrawal” from Gaza was also a failure. Eitam compared Israel’s actions to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, explaining that [US President] Truman had to “incinerate 200,000 people in a second” to protect American troops. When challenged repeatedly by one of us why he has made racist statements such as calling Palestinian citizens of Israel a “cancer,” Eitam simply denied ever having said them and insisted his words had been taken “far out of context” (“Hillel Student to Arab Student: “Why don’t you go blow yourself up?”, The Buffalo Activist, 2 November 2009).

Eitam also spoke at a packed evening lecture. Hillel President Dan Lenard began by denouncing the “fascists” who had presented critical information about Eitam. Consistent with his earlier performance, Eitam’s speech was a mish-mash of Arab-hating, Israel-boosting, and bare-faced lies. He insisted that Iran constitutes an unprecedented existential threat, and indeed, he has been calling for an attack on Iran since at least 2006 (“MK Eitam: Strike Iran now”, Ynet, 18 May 2006). Astonishingly, he said Iran sponsored al-Qaeda’s attacks. And again he compared the course taken by the US with Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the course the US and Israel should take with Iran.

But Eitam couldn’t completely forget his favorite enemies. He claimed that Palestinians fled Palestine in 1947-48 on the broadcast orders of Arab leaders — a claim long discredited. He said that a steady barrage of Hamas-fired Qassam rockets prompted the Gaza massacre, though Israeli sources, including Ehud Olmert’s press spokesman, demonstrate that Hamas ceased all rocket fire between 19 June and 4 November 2008, when Israelis infiltrated Gaza and killed six Hamas activists. Palestinians on the West Bank, he says, are desperate for Israel to maintain the occupation and protect them from Hamas.

It was not a memorable performance. Eitam left the hall with a posse of three armed guards (or so a supporter reports) and a few diehard supporters. Outside the event, 40 students and community members protested Eitam’s presence on campus; they had been alerted by UB Students for Justice in Palestine and the Palestine-Israel Committee of the Western New York Peace Center. A few Eitam supporters spat at protesters or yelled “terrorists!” but more passers-by joined in with the protest.

Eitam’s policies may not ultimately be much different from those of, say, former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. But there is an air of desperation in organizing a US tour by such an unmanicured monster. On the other hand, the quickly-organized protest was one of the most spirited in recent UB memory. As the recent actions against former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in New Orleans, the University of Kentucky, the University of Arkansas, the University of Chicago and in San Francisco suggests, Israeli war criminals can no longer count on respectful US campus forums for state-funded propaganda tours. There’s something in the air.

Free Mohammad Now

On September 22, Mohammad Othman was arrested and detained by Israeli soldiers on the Allenby Bridge Crossing, the border from Jordan to Palestine. He was returning from a trip to Norway, where he was advocating for Palestinian human rights. Ask U.S. President Obama to press for his immediate release.

(If you are not in the U.S., consider joining this action alert. Hold President Obama. accountable for his Cairo speech.)The letter to Obama

Please tell the Israeli authorities to free Mohammad Othman.

He was arrested and detained by Israeli soldiers on the Allenby Bridge Crossing, the border from Jordan to Palestine. He was returning from a trip to Norway, where he was advocating for Palestinian human rights.

President Obama, in your Cairo speech, you have exhorted the Palestinians to seek a resolution to the violent Israeli/Palestinian conflict through the use of nonviolence.

In fact, Mohammad Othman and many other Palestinians have engaged in peaceful protest against the Israeli occupation for many years, in Bil’in, Nil’in, Jayyous and many other places that have lost their land to the wall and the settlements. Archbishop Desmond Tutu has compared them to Gandhi, who managed to overthrow British rule in India by nonviolent means, and to Martin Luther King, Jr., who took up the struggle of a black woman who was too tired to go to the back of a segregated bus.

And yet, protestors in the Occupied Territories face the same consequences: detention, injury, and even death.

Those that travel abroad to advocate their cause are at risk of being unjustly detained when they come back home. This is what happened to Muhammad Srour — an eye-witness at the UN Fact Finding Mission on Gaza — arrested on his way back from Geneva. This is what is happening to Mohammad Othman right now.

President Obama, you must come true to your words in Cairo and defend the right of Mr. Othman to speak up for Palestinian rights.

The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W. Bush last December will be getting out of jail on Monday, his family says.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi hurled two shoes at the then-U.S. president during a joint news conference with the Iraqi prime minister in Baghdad.

Television cameras captured the scene as Bush ducked twice and was unhurt.

“This is your farewell kiss, you dog,” al-Zeidi shouted. “This is for the widows and orphans of Iraq.”

Al-Zeidi, 30, was sentenced to three years in prison, but the sentence was reduced on appeal.

His release will be celebrated by fellow Iraqis who feel his act of protest helped to express their own bitterness over the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of their country, which began in March 2003.

Excited flag-waving family members have posted al-Zeidi’s picture and balloons on the walls of his apartment in central Baghdad, to welcome him home.

His former employer has bought him a new four-bedroom house and a car.

There are reports that al-Baghdadiya TV has kept his job available to him and believes he will return to work there.

However, his brother, Dargham, told The Associated Press the reporter is interested in working in a humanitarian or human-rights organization.

France has summoned Israel’s ambassador to protest as French and other European diplomats were blocked for hours on the Jewish state’s border with the Gaza Strip and Israeli soldiers fired warning shots at their convoy.

A diplomatic convoy carrying France’s consul general was halted by Israeli troops at the Erez border crossing on Tuesday and held for six hours as it tried to leave the Gaza Strip and return to Jerusalem, a spokesman said.

“The convoy, which included other European diplomats, was subject to two warning shots from Israeli soldiers,” French foreign ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier told reporters during a briefing.

Chevallier said France’s consul general based in Jerusalem and several of his colleagues travelled to Gaza to assess the reopening of border crossings and to inspect projects funded by France.

He said the Foreign Ministry summoned Ambassador Daniel Shek “to protest against this unacceptable incident and demand explanations from him”.

For three weeks until Jan. 18, Gaza saw fierce fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas, the Palestinian group which controls the territory that left 1,300 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza medics.

Both sides have declared ceasefires but tensions remain, and international diplomats are attempting to broker a lasting peace.

An Israeli soldier was killed by a bomb at a different location on the border with the Gaza Strip on Tuesday and troops then killed a Palestinian, violence that strained the ceasefire and left people in Gaza fearing further Israeli attacks.

They are lucky the Israelis didn’t shoot them like they shoot the Palestinians continually. They should try being a Palestinian for a few years and take in the starvation and blockade. To live it is to understand it. They have no idea whatsoever what it is like to be a prisoner in Gaza.

France to send frigate to patrol waters off Gaza

Says in full cooperation with Egypt and Israel

Sarkozy went on two Mideast tours during the Israeli offensive in Gaza

January 23 2009

PARIS

France will deploy a frigate carrying helicopters to international waters off the coast of Gaza to participate in a mission against arms trafficking in the territory, the presidency said Friday.

A statement from President Nicolas Sarkozy’s office said the surveillance, aimed at preventing arms trafficking by sea to Hamas-ruled Gaza, would be carried out in full cooperation with Egypt and Israel.

“What is urgent now is to consolidate the ceasefire, and that requires humanitarian action, a total halt on arms trafficking to Gaza, the durable reopening of the border crossings, reconstruction and inter-Palestinian reconciliation,” the statement said.

Sarkozy went on two diplomatic tours of the Middle East during the Israeli offensive in Gaza to try and obtain a ceasefire. He said that France was ready to help bring back peace in whatever way it could.

The statement from Sarkozy’s office called for close coordination as quickly as possible between the new U.S. administration and European partners to propose complementary actions to combat arms trafficking by land and by sea.

“These actions must be matched by a total and permanent reopening of the border crossings to Gaza. That is why the president reiterated his call for a rapid re-activation of the Rafah checkpoint, under European control in which France will take part fully,” the statement said.

Israel on Friday dismissed a number of other international calls for a full reopening of border crossings with Gaza.

President Nicolas Sarkozy should be sending the damb frigate to protect the Fishermen and those in Gaza if anything. But NO.

He must make sure Israel is protected. Like they need protection. They are the problem. They do not want Peace and never have. They only want to keep killing.

Their leaders are are Criminals.

Why is France protecting war criminals?

Seems the innocent die and the criminals get protection.

So how about we let all the murderers in the world our of prison and put all the innocent civilians in jail. That is exactly what has been done to the Palestinians, they are the innocent in the “Concentration Camp” and the criminals are the ones getting help to make damb sure they stay their totally defenseless.

How bloody stupid are people? Assisting Israel on any count, is assisting bloodthirsty, power hungry, lieing, murderers.

So “Who” will protect the Palestinians?

“Who” is going to stop Israel from killing even more of them?

Seems no one has the intelligence, to realize the Palestinians are the ones, who need the protection.

The evidence is right in front of them and they are too blind to see who the real victims are.

Well Israel needs to be disarmed the sooner the better. Before they blow up all of the Middle East and Europe. And they would mark my words they most certainly would.

Hamas has wanted Peace for some time. Israel is the one, who does not now, or ever wanted Peace.

The blockade is illegal and inhumane.

Israel is the abusive parent beating the crap out of a baby. There is no difference. Apparently the parent who murders their children goes to jail. That is the only difference.

Israels behavior is pure insanity. Seems the West and Europe suffer from the same insanity. Nothing like a bunch of bloodthirsty power hungry lunatics sticking together.

Goes to show what kind of leadership there is in the world and they have the nerve to call themselves Civilized.

Well if nothing else, we can take notes on who supports Israel in their bloodthirsty rampage and not vote for them, because it is obvious they are as corrupted as the leaders in Israel itself.

When is the US going to stop supporting the “Welfare Bums”? That is what Israel is, a bloody welfare bum. A welfare bum, that murders innocent people no less. Pre-meditated murder at that.

Antiwar, anti-Bush, anti-Obama — advocates of varied causes arrive at the capital to voice opinions, petition and stage political theater.
By Robin Abcarian
Reporting from Washington

Forbes Hill, an animator from Los Angeles, was walking past Dupont Circle on Monday morning looking for an art gallery to visit when he noticed the Raging Grannies — peace activists who set antiwar lyrics to familiar songs — warbling away at a microphone on a makeshift stage.

Then he spied a 25-foot-tall inflatable President Bush figure in a “Mission Accomplished” flight suit. People were chucking shoes at it.
Hill had stumbled across one of the few angry gatherings in a town bathed in good vibes in anticipation of today’s inauguration of Barack Obama. (Well, angry-ish. Everyone who threw shoes smiled and giggled in spite of themselves.)

The shoe hurling, sponsored by several anti-Bush, pro-peace groups, was inspired by Iraqi journalist Muntather Zaidi, who threw his shoes at Bush last month during a Baghdad news conference.

Hill’s sister, Ashley Hill of Durango, Colo., picked up a pair of strappy brown leather sandals from one of the piles of donated shoes strewn around Dupont Circle. Hill pointed his camera phone.

“This is totally cathartic,” Hill said as he snapped a shot of Ashley launching the sandals. “How can you resist?”

The shoes bounced off the midsection of the giant Bush, forcing a local television cameraman to duck as they sailed past his head.

On the stage nearby — behind a neat line of boots, loafers and sneakers — Gael Murphy, co-founder of the antiwar group Code Pink, called Zaidi courageous and thanked “everyone who has stood up and spoken truth to power in their own way.”

“Hold onto your shoes,” Murphy said to the crowd of about 100 protesters. “The struggle is not over.”

Barbara Cummings, a retired government worker from San Diego, solicited signatures for a petition urging Atty. Gen.-designate Eric H. Holder Jr. to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for war crimes. She also sold posters featuring Bush and Cheney’s faces behind bars, with the slogan “I have a dream.”

“Just because we’ve elected a new president doesn’t negate that crimes were committed,” Cummings said. “Obama has said that no one is above the law. Bush and Cheney have admitted proudly they condoned torture. We will never regain our moral standing in the world if we just allow these criminals to say, ‘Bye bye.’ ”

The shoe hurlers planned to march later to the White House, where a few were going to toss their ammunition over the fence.

This year’s protests are expected to be notably mild compared, for example, with 1973’s raucous anti-Vietnam War demonstrations aimed at President Nixon or the angry shouts of “Hail to the thief!” in 2001 after George W. Bush’s disputed victory over Al Gore. A handful of anti-Obama protests — most centered around the abortion issue — were planned for Inauguration Day.

The Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, said his group would carry anti-abortion banners near the swearing-in. “We want to send a clear signal to President Obama from Day One, from the very moment you are sworn in, the pro-life community will be there.”

Obama, who favors abortion rights, has muted some of the criticism by choosing evangelical Pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation at today’s ceremony.

Members of the Save Darfur Coalition plan to circulate petitions urging Obama to act on the crisis in war-torn Sudan.

Meanwhile, at the base of the Dupont Circle fountain, the political theater intensified as a gray-haired man in a bright orange prisoner’s jumpsuit prepared to be “waterboarded.” He was thrown to the ground (gently), his face covered by a towel (on top of a clear plastic face mask) and his “torturer” doused his head with a gallon of water.

The “victim,” Steve Lane, a chemist who lives in Bethesda, Md., and writes grants for the National Institutes of Health, looked shaken when it was all over.

“It’s so horrible, this feeling of helplessness,” Lane said. “Even though it’s make-believe, it still panicked me when the water accidentally got in my mouth.”

This was the fifth or sixth time Lane had volunteered for “waterboarding” at an anti-Bush demonstration, he said.

“We were doing a leash thing like they did at Abu Ghraib,” he said, referring to the infamous photographs of Iraqi prisoners being mistreated by American soldiers. “Then this guy I work with on this said, ‘Let’s step it up a notch.’ So that’s what we did.”

Bushes last day in office, several hundred protesters marched from Dupont Circle to Penn Ave. In solidarity with Iraqi shoe thrower Muntada Al-Zaida, protesters then threw shoes over the barricade fences between Penn Ave and the White House.

The march arrives

Shoes thrown over barricades

More shoes thrown over White House barricades

Area of impact

WHY shoes are thrown at Bush! Photos: Indymedia

The event was held to demand that George Bush, Cheney, et all be prosecuted for war crimes-and that Obama deliver on his promises to end the war and shut down Guantanimo Bay.

Few if any shoes cleared the main White House fence(the final fence out of several), but the image of shoes flying towards the White House is long overdue! On the approach march, protesters held shoes aloft, just like in anti-Bush protests in so many other nations.

Several speakers both in Dupont and in front of the White House reminded everyone present that Muntada al-Zaidi has been held in custody and tortured ever since!

Prior to the march, activists demanding the closure of Guantanimo Bay re-enacted a waterboarding session, in the context of security officials trying to unravel a plot against the Inauguration itself!

Anti-war protesters throw shoes at White House

Anti-war protesters were throwing shoes outside the gates of the White House on President George W. Bush’s last day in office.

About 500 people marched to the White House and threw about 40 pairs of shoes at the gate while tourists looked on and took photos.

Supporters say they acted in solidarity with Muntadhar Al-Zeidi (MOON’-tuh-dahr ahl-zay-EE’-dee), the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at Bush during a news conference in Baghdad in December.

The event was sponsored by several peace groups. Organizer Jamilla El-Shafei of Kennebunk, Maine, says the event allowed protesters to express their anger over Bush. She says he is “leaving with no accountability for eviscerating our Constitution.”

This little girl is just one of the million George Bush has been responsible for killing.

The British helped as did other countries.

The worst offenders are George W Bush and Company and Tony Blair and Company

This was a war for Oil not to free the people of Iraq.

There were No Weapons of Mass Destruction.

That was all propaganda.

They Both want to control the Middle East.

Promoting Democracy and Freedom was not part of their agenda.

What was done in Iraq was Genocide pure and simple.

Any country involved in the war in Iraq should be hanging their heads in absolute shame. The masterminds of it should be charged.

They should be imprisoned for their crimes.

Justice must be served.

I was reading this yesterday.

France, UK pushing EU sanctions for Iran

January 19 2009

France and Britain are reportedly making attempts within the European Union to slap new round of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear ambitions.

French daily Le Monde reported on Monday that Paris and London have been pressing the EU to expand its embargos in a bid to prevent Iran from obtaining equipment and technology for its oil industry.

“Having failed in their attempt for now due to the lack of a European consensus, French and British officials seem to be focusing on another objective – banning the activities of Iran’s Saderat and Mellat banks from the EU’s territory,” Le Monde said.

The news comes as the United States has earlier imposed its own sanctions on both Saderat and Mellat banks.

Le Monde report added that Britain and France are also working on adding to the list of Iranian organizations targeted by EU sanctions in order to make it harder for Iran to evade international sanctions.

In an attempt to pressure Iran into halting uranium enrichment, the UN Security Council has so far imposed three sets of sanctions on the country.

Washington, Tel Aviv and their European allies claim that Tehran has plans ‘to build a nuclear weapon’ and argue that the use of military force is a legitimate option in retarding Iran’s nuclear progress.

Iran argues that the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) – to which it is a signatory – gives the country the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, adding that nuclear energy is essential for meeting its growing energy demand.

Seems to me, if they should be Sanctioning anyone it Should Be Israel and the US.

What the US or Israel have said or done is irrelevant as they are both rogue states.

Both have used Nuclear weapons on innocent civilians and if anyone is not to be trusted it would be those two especially. Both have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. Britain participated in an illegal war along with the US and France has been in great part responsible for the Demise of Haiti and it’s people over the years.

They might want to take a look in their own back yards and clean up their messes before condemning Iran.

They all have “Nuclear Weapons” and should not posses them any more then anyone else.

They for all intense and purpose they are hypocrites. Practice what you preach or shut the hell up. They should clean the nuclear weapons out of their own closets. We know for a fact they have them. Iran just wants nuclear power plants.

Iran to date has not been a waring state.

The others however would think nothing of dropping a Nuke on Iran and killing again millions of people so they can control yet more of the Middle East.

This is just pathetic. They of all people have committed more crimes and killed more innocent people over the years then one wants to remember but it is true.

Iran has done nothing wrong and do not have Nuclear weapons. The sanctioning is just to starve innocent people. Gaza is a good example as was Iraq. Sanctions kill.

Seems the warmongers are at it again. This is the beginning of a war even if you don’t realize it. Like Iraq they sanction them, make them weak and then go in for the kill. Killing over a million people as they did in Iraq however was also pre- meditated they planed it long before the invasion ever occurred.

Many of the wars perpetrated by some countries are pre planned just like Israel pre planned this last rampage in Gaza. They have systematically exterminated a few million Palestinians over the years. This type of behavior in all countries must end. Seems those who are the richest, are the ones who are the greatest Criminals and Thieves.

That is what they are nothing more nothing less.

They want the natural Resources of weaker countries. They have been repeatedly doing it over and over for years.

It all began way back in time. They explore they find they steal , kill, murder, maim and enslave the populations of countries.

They did it to the people in Africa and sold Africans to the US as slaves.

They conquered and killed the Aboriginals in many countries. Australia, Canada. the US, South America etc etc.

History must not keep repeating itself.

They have been doing it for years. They stole there land and their lives.

One would think in 2009 the world leaders and people would realize this must stop.

How sad the so called civilized world are really the savages. Not the innocent people they slaughter.

Poverty and death is created and imposed on the less fortunate countries, by the rich and powerful countries.

The rich and powerful countries also do the same thing to their own people. They really should clean up their own back yards.

The Financial Crisis was caused, by those so called Rich and powerful countries as well.

History is a great teacher just a pity they never learn anything from it.

War must never be an option. Of course those who make and sell weapons love war. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Those who invest in these companies love. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Those countries who conquer weaker countries love $$$$$$$$$$$

They want the land the resources and will do anything to steal them including war. Including lieing, including killing innocent people and manufacturing enough lies to hoodwinked, their population into believing it is for a just cause, which 9 times out of ten it is not. Could be 100% of the time. Their lies and deception must be brought to the fore front.

The planet cannot sustain war. The pollution left behind will kill for years to come. You included. War is killing all of us on the planet.

War is like the plague. Cancer causing, disease creating, plague.

The weapons they use cause deformities, in unborn babies.

They cause mental illnesses, mentally challenged, and the list is extremely extensive. I would have to write all day to do the list of illnesses caused by weapons of mass destruction.

Radiation alone causes so many long term problems. In any form it is horrific. When they say your illness is caused because it’s in your Genes well it is. But the cause of the Genes deformation in the first place, would be radiation. This became all to obvious after the Nuclear bomb testing in the US and other countries. Cancers started to pop up. Babies were born deformed etc etc. The mentally challenged didn’t just magically appear on the planet. The Bomb testing was the actual cause. The wind blows it goes as with most of their weapons. Chemical toxic slop. Agent Orange is till affecting those in Vietnam and the war veterans.

Radiation Fall out in the US.

When I said they would kill their own. They did. They are still doing it. Only now they are killing all of us.

The legacy of them will live on for billions of years. Is this what we want for our future.

War is exterminating everyone on the planet. Seems the leaders in some countries, just don’t get it. Well before they kill us all they had better get a grip on reality.

War for Peace is, like F$@#$ing to get your Virginity back.

It defeats the purpose when the slop you leave on the planet kills everyone. You and I included, or our children, or our childrens children.

The “warmongers” are the problem, not the innocent victims they murder.

They create the wave of wars. They create the circumstances. They create the weapons. They make the profits. They enslave the people.

They are killing all of us for power, land, natural resources and money.

They use our sons and daughters , friends and families to fight their filthy wars. Not for Peace, not to protect us, but for Greed, Power and domination..

A group barricades itself in Turkish ruling party office to protest Gaza

A group from a Turkish organization Friday barricaded themselves inside the offices of the ruling AKP in the southeastern province of Sanliurfa and demanded that the prime minister break ties with Israel.

Nearly 30 people, including women and children, from the Organization of Human Rights and Solidarity for Oppressed People (Mazlum-Der) locked themselves inside the building, Dogan News Agency reported.

The demonstrators chanted anti-Israel slogans and hung posters and banners inside and outside the offices. “We will remain here until relations with Israel are cut,” and “(Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip) Erdogan is crying. (Venezuela’s President Hugo) Chavez is sacking (Israeli ambassador),” some posters read.

“Damn collaborator leaders,” the protesters shouted from the windows of the offices.

Venezuela on Wednesday broke diplomatic ties with Jewish state over its military offensive in the Gaza Strip and refusal to comply with international calls for a ceasefire, a week after it expelled the Israeli ambassador in Caracas.

Turkey, Israel’s main regional ally, is one of the countries that have condemned the Jewish state for its offensive on Gaza.

Erdogan, who has repeatedly criticized Israel, said Friday the Jewish state should be barred from the United Nations while it ignores the body’s calls to end the fighting in Gaza. However he has stopped short of deciding to suspend ties with Israel.

Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, has urged all Arab nations to sever diplomatic ties with Israel because of the Gaza war.

Qatar, Mauritania cut Israeli ties

Qatar and Mauritania have severed economic and political ties with Israel in protest against the war in Gaza, Al Jazeera has learned.

The move announced on Friday followed calls by Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, and Khaled Meshaal, the exiled leader of Hamas, for all Arab nations to cut ties with Israel.

Addressing leaders at an emergency Arab summit in Doha, the Qatari capital, al-Assad declared that the Arab initiative for peace with Israel was now “dead”.

The Palestinian Statistics Bureau also reported on Friday that the war has cost the Palestinian economy at least $1.4bn.

The bureau said 26,000 Gazans were unable to live in their homes and were being housed in temporary shelter.

Much of Gaza’s infrastructure lies in ruins. The statistics show that 20,000 residential buildings are damaged and 4,000 more destroyed.

Hamas has proposed a year-long, renewable ceasefire if Israel immediately ends its offensive in Gaza and lifts its crippling blockade of the territory.

Conditions of Ceasefire. On both sides.

Israel: wants

– International force to stop weapons smuggling into Gaza

Palestine: wants

– Immediate halt to offensive

– Full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza

– Re-open all crossing points into Gaza

– Lift Gazan economic siege, (this has long been sought, by them and with good reason).

How can Israel, which totally ignores and does not implement resolutions of the UN Security Council, be allowed to enter through the doors of the UN?

“Why is it the US can get away with Vetoing over 40 resolutions by the UN to end the problem’s between Israel and Gaza?

Why can’t the US see their allies are a problem. Unless of course the US wants them to be a problem.

Then again the US did not Comply with the UN resolution that was against the war in Iraq either.

Why is it the west interferes with elections? What gives them the right?

I think the US should stop arming Israel with “Weapons of Mass Destruction” and it should cut all Aid for these weapons as well.

As of January 15 2009

1,133 Palestinians have been killed and more than 5,200 wounded, according to Gaza medics.

At least 346 children are among the dead.

Israel says 10 Israeli soldiers ( some were killed by friendly fire, lest we forget) and 3 civilians have been killed in the same period, and an Israeli government spokesman indicated that the end of the three-week-old offensive may close.

Why do I have a sneaking suspicion, right after the weapons are delivered to Israel by the US this will all start again?

Thousands of Lebanese children gathered Tuesday in front of the UN building in downtown Beirut to denounce the Israeli aggressions against the children of Gaza, Lebanese New TV reported.

Aged less than 13 years, the children gathered in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Economic and social commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) holding pictures of children killed during the Israeli attacks on Gaza which started on Dec. 27.

The children delivered a letter addressed to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging him to find a solution to the bloodshed and the killing of children in Gaza.

Demonstrations have been carried out in most Lebanese areas on daily bases, two demonstrations were violent in front of the American embassy in Awkar East of Beirut, and in front of the Egyptian embassy in West Beirut.

Moreover, sit-in demonstrators in front of ESCWA building have been staged since the Israeli operation on Gaza started.

Israel launched airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Dec. 27 and ground operation on Jan. 3 in retaliation of Hamas militants’ rocket attacks into Israel. At least 590 Palestinians have been killed and in the attack, some 200 children and 60 women were among the death toll.

Pro-Gaza protest, march set for Saturday in St. Petersburg

January 3, 2009

By Wayne Garcia

This in from Rise Up Tampa Bay:
St. Petersburg — Peace groups and concerned citizens will be gathering outside of the Baywalk facility in support of the victims in Gaza during the most recent military actions.

“Regardless of where one stands on the conflict, we can all agree that war is not the answer, and the horiffically one-sided casualty counts are a travesty”, said Mike Fox, Rise Up Tampa Bay member and Chair of the Pinellas County Chapter of Progressive Democrats Of America. “We ask that all who see the Palestinian people as the “Davids” in this “David vs Goliath” struggle join us as we ask that the US government and our fellow citizens support a free Palestine and an end to the slaughter.”Saturday, Jan. 3,7:30pm

STOP THE MASSACRE
BOYCOTT ISRAEL
NYC Actions for Gaza Continue
Death toll in Gaza has reached 390!
We urge all of our members and friends to come out and participate in the Rally and March on Saturday January 3, 2009.

Rally at Times Square, 42nd and 7th Avenue, 1:00 PM
March to the Israeli mission on 42nd and 2nd Avenue.

Adalah-NY and friends will gather 12:40 PM at the North East corner of 39th St and 7th Ave. At 1:10 PM, we will join the protest and try to be near 41st St. and 7th Ave. Join us!

BRING FLAGS & MAKE YOUR OWN SIGN.
Here are some of the the slogans we will be using:

STOP THE MASSACRE – BOYCOTT ISRAEL

BOYCOTT OCCUPATION & MASS STARVATION

STOP ISRAELI WAR CRIMES

STOP THE GENOCIDE

STOP THE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE! – OR WE’LL HAVE TO THROW OUR SHOES!

YES, WE CAN! STOP ISRAELI AGGRESSION!

YES, WE CAN! STOP THE GENOCIDE IN GAZA!

YES, WE CAN! STOP US MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL!

YES, WE CAN! BOYCOTT ISRAEL!

NOT IN OUR NAMES, NOT WITH OUR MONEY!

ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCES = WAR CRIMINALS

ISRAELI ATTACK ON GAZA = GENOCIDE

YES, WE CAN! STOP THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF PALESTINE!

ZIONISM = RACISM

ISRAEL = APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA

WAR IS TERRORISM WITH BIGGER BUDGET – STOP ISRAEL’S WAR ON PALESTINIANS

SAY NO TO RACISM – SAY NO TO CARNAGE

ACT AGAINST ISRAEL’S WAR CRIMES

Call for the March:

We must act now, before the massacres continue! Over 360 people were killed in Gaza since Saturday, December 27 in a series of Israeli attacks – with US-made and paid for weaponry – upon the Palestinian people. These cold-blooded killings come on top of a siege on Gaza that has killed hundreds by depriving them of medical care, electricity, power and fuel and attempted to strangle the life of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

The people of Gaza are standing steadfast in the face of these massacres but our voices must be heard to demand an immediate end to the massacres and an end to US aid to Israel! The Israeli military is promising more massacres – we must say no NOW!
—–
Endorsed by:
Al-Awda: Palestine Right to Return Coalition-NY, Arab Muslim American Federation, MAS-NY(Youth Center), National, Queens, NJ, Yonkers, The General Union of Palestine Students, Bayan-USA, Islamic Society of Bay Ridge, Salam Church, International Action Center, Brooklyn Cultural Center, Hudson Valley Islamic Center, December 12 Movement, New York City Labor Against the War, DRUM, Troops Out Now Coalition, Pakistan USA Freedom Forum, International League of Peoples Struggle, Dawoud Mosque, Muslim Alliance in North America, Masjid Al-Taqwa, Islamic Circle of North America, F.I.S.T

Protestors hold shoes up during a demonstration outside the US Embassy in London Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, by Stop the War coalition calling for the guaranteed safety and release of Iraqi journalist, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who threw his shoes at US President George Bush during a press conference in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

A pile of shoes, seen, dumped in a box outside the US Embassy by demonstrators in London, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. Stop the War coalition are calling for the guaranteed safety and release of Iraqi journalist, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who threw his shoes at US President George Bush during a press conference in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

A Protestor holds a shoe up during a demonstration outside the US Embassy in London Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, by Stop the War coalition calling for the guaranteed safety and release of Iraqi journalist, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who threw his shoes at US President George Bush during a press conference in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

LONDON (AP) — Protesters shook their shoes at the U.S. Embassy in London on Friday in a show of support for a jailed Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush during a news conference in Iraq.

Up to 50 demonstrators, some carrying shoes mounted on sticks, protested the arrest of journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi and called for his release.

“He has stood up against the silence and the lies that we have been forced to take all too often in the British and international media,” said David Crouch, the chairman of Media Workers Against The War, a group representing anti-war journalists.

“Our role is to give a voice to people who don’t have a voice and for that reason al-Zaidi might as well have thrown 27 million shoes at George Bush, because he was speaking for the vast overwhelming majority of the Iraqi population,” Crouch said.

The protest ended when demonstrators dumped their shoes — including high heels, sneakers, and slippers — into a box in front of the U.S. Embassy at London’s Grosvenor Square.

Or there is also this event coming up. Be sure to check it out. All shoes collected will be donated to those in need after the event. You may also want to volunteer. It is a lovely farewell bash, to say goodbye to Bush.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
All the creatures are stirring, especially those with a mouse.
The hopes are hung by the children with care,
In hopes that Bush might see his own nightmare.

When out on the White House lawn there arose such a clatter,
Bush would spring from his bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he would fly like a flash,
He would open the shutters and throw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Would give lustre of mid-day to the objects below.
When, before his blind eyes would appear,
But a few million shoes, and a message so clear.

St Nick would spring to his sleigh, to his team give a whistle,
And away they all fly like the down of a thistle.
Bush would hear him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,” Merry Christmas George. And to you this is farewell and a memorable night.”

The little old driver, so lively and quick,
Bush would know in a moment this is so slick..
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
St Nick whistled, and shouted, and called his reindeer by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

And then, in a twinkling, I smile at the views
The prancing and pawing of each little mews.
As I rest in my bed, I think of this dream to astound,
A sight so pleasant and love all around.

All I want for Christmas is this “Little Dream”.
To tell George Bush just what we mean.
The Elves are all thinking…..With Love in their hearts.
One last message to George before he departs.

Just being a helpful Elf.

Friday Imam of Tehran proposed to store a shoes thrown to George Bush by the Iraqi journalist in Baghdad museum.

Muntazir al-Zeydi, reporter of al-Bagdadiyya TV channel of Iraq, threw his shoes at the U.S. President George Bush by saying ‘this is farewell, you dog’ during press conference in Baghdad on Dec. 15.

Iran’s Friday Imam described this move by the Iraqi journalist as a sign of resistance during Friday prayers and said Iranian and Iraqi people should launch shoe campaign for his release, Fars news agency reported.

Muntazir al-Zeydi has been arrested by the security forces of Iraq. A suit has been filed against him. Those who attack President of any country are sentenced to 7-15 years in jail in Iraq.

In solidarity with an Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W. Bush at a Baghdad press conference Sunday, peace activists will gather outside the White House with bags of shoes representing Iraqis and U.S. soldiers who have died since the Bush Administration’s illegal invasion of Iraq.

They aim to show support for Iraqi journalist Muntader al-Zaidi, who hurled his shoes at President Bush while he spoke at the conference on his “surprise” visit to discuss the war. Al-Zaidi is currently being held by Iraqi police and questioned on his actions. The peace activists are calling on the Iraqi government to release al-Zaidi without charges and have set up a fund to support him and his family.”

“It’s outrageous that al-Zaidi could get two years in prison for insulting George Bush, when Bush is directly responsible for the deaths of 1.5 million Iraqis and 4,200 U.S. troops, and 5 million displaced Iraqis,” says Medea Benjamin of CODEPINK. “The one who should be in jail is George Bush, and he should be charged with war crimes.”

The gesture of throwing shoes is considered a major insult in Arabic culture.

“Al-Zaidi’s act of civil disobedience expresses the disgust that so many Iraqis and Americans feel towards a man who has caused so much pain and suffering,” says Anas Shallal of Iraqi Voices for Peace. “It is indeed a fitting tribute to the end of the Bush reign of terror.”

U.S. veterans who served in Iraq will also participate in the shoe action at the White House.

“Having one shoe thrown at George Bush pales in comparison to the suffering that veterans and Iraqis go through everyday,” says Geoffrey Milliard of Iraq Veterans Against the War. “Perhaps if Bush can see some more of these shoes before he leaves office, he will feel some of our pain.”

Farewell Kiss: Show Soles of Shoe Solidarity StandWednesday, December 17th 2008 8:00amBush Farewell Kiss: Shoes in Solidarity with Iraqi Journalist al Zaidi Wednesday; CodePINK calls for his release and tribute to Iraqis who have severely suffered under US occupation

WHAT: CodePINK anti-war activists and allies to march holding shoes in the air around Marine Recruiting Station in solidarity with Iraqi journalist and all civil disobedience against war and torture
WHEN: 8 a.m., Weds. Dec. 17
WHERE: MRS/Marine Recruiting Station, 64 Shattuck Square, Berkeley

BERKELEY – In solidarity with an Iraqi journalist, Muntader al Zaidi – who hurled his shoes at George W. Bush during a Baghdad press conference Sunday – CodePINK activists and allies will gather outside the Marine Recruiting Station (MRS) holding shoes in the air and lining them up around the station Wednesday.

In addition to representing support for al Zaidi’s act of civil disobedience, the shoes will embody the Iraqi people who have been killed, tortured, maimed and U.S. soldiers who’ve died since the Bush Administration’s illegal invasion of Iraq, said CodePINK.

Showing the soul of shoes to someone is a symbol of extreme disrespect in Arab countries; throwing shoes is an even stronger statement. As he hurled his shoes at Bush, al Zaidi shouted “This is your farewell kiss, you dog”. He is currently being held, questioned, and tortured in jail.

Activists are calling on the Iraqi government to release al Zaidi immediately without charges and have set up a fund to support him and his family. They are also demanding Bush intervene for al Zaidi’s immediate release.

“It’s outrageous that al-Zaidi could get two years in prison for insulting George Bush, when Bush is directly responsible for the deaths of 1.5 million Iraqis and 4,200 U.S. troops, and 5 million displaced Iraqis,” said Medea Benjamin of CodePINK. “The one who should be in jail is George Bush, and he should be charged with war crimes.”

“Al-Zaidi’s act of civil disobedience expresses the disgust that so many Iraqis and Americans feel towards a man who has caused so much pain and suffering,” added Anas Shallal of Iraqi Voices for Peace. “It is indeed a fitting tribute to the end of the Bush reign of terror.”

CodePINK activists will bestow the “Farewell Kiss” on Bush, on Recruiting our Youth, and on Invading Afghanistan as well.

What has not been so widely reported are the words Muntadar al-Zaidi, a correspondent for Cairo-based al-Baghdadiya TV, shouted out. As the first shoe was thrown at Bush, he said: “This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog.” And with his second shoe, which the president also dodged, al-Zaidi said: “This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq.”

The now regular Saturday protests in front of the Icelandic parliament in Reykjavik went ahead today as planned, but a follow-up demonstration outside the police headquarters ended in violence.

During the busy parliament protests, the famous statue of Jonas Sigurdsson was dressed in women’s clothing to remind people of the role of the female half of the population and how they should take a leading role in rebuilding the Icelandic economy.

After the rally, some 200 to 300 people took part in a different protest at the main police station to demand the release of Haukur Himarsson, who had been arrested last night when police found out he was the person to fly the Bonus supermarket flag from the top of parliament two weeks ago.

After officers in full riot gear used pepper spray to try to disperse the crowds, police eventually released Hilmarsson and the crowd dissipated. It is still not known whether or not the police charged Hilmarsson before his release, however.

Hilmarsson was arrested last night after an educational research trip to the Althingi parliament house. He has a suspended 14 days remaining of an 18-day prison sentence he received in 2005 for protests with the Saving Iceland environmental pressure group.